Grease and method of making the same



Patented Mai-.21, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT? OFFICE A FRANK C. GEBHARIUI, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR '10 UNITED OIL IAN'U- FACTUBING COMPANY, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

GREASE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME No Drawing. Application filed June 8,

or 120" to 300 of Saybolt at 212 F. and an aluminum salt of fatty acid of general formula C H O when G is not less than using 15 from 15% to 45% by weight of the total mass of such fatty acid salt, and heatin the same to a temperature above 160 to 260. Ordinarily the conversion of a grease begins slightly above 160 F. and is usuall practically complete at about 220 F. ithin this range there is a complete change in the uality of the mixed materials, the change rom an oil consistency to a rubbery mass being accompanied by a change in color.

The character of the mass undergoes an entire change within this temperature range and this ma be fixed by a quick chilling of the mass. billing may be accomplished by exposing the mass to the air in a shallow layer, the chilling in ordinary air summer tem ratures taking place in layers not excee ing two inches in depth. Artificial chilling may be utilized. Without such chilling the mass reverts, or at least loses its grease characteristics. Aluminum stearate', or aluminum palmitate are examples of the fatty acid salts suitable for the purpose. The amount of such fatty acid salts used may be varied in accordance with the stiffness, or body of the grease desired, a greater percentage of such fatt acid salts forming a stifl'er, or heavier-b0 'ed grease. As an example of making. a desirable product the following mixture may be used: mineral oil having a viscosity of one hundred and twenty seconds Saybolt at 212 F. 85%, aluminum stearate 15%. Thismixture is heated to a temperature of about 260; the conversion usually taking place between 160 to 220 and being complete at 220. The added 1927. Serial No. 197,008.

temperature, however, is usually given to assure the completion of the action. The material is then quickly cooled while in a static condition at atmospheric temperatures,

summer heat, in layers not to exceed two inches in depth, or may be artificially accomplished if equally rapid.

The material so formed is similar in many respects to ordinary greases but will retain its stiflness at very much higher temperatures than ordinary greases and this, among other desirable qualities, makes it superior to ordinary greases for certain uses.

It is to be observed that certain s cific embodiments have been described fort epurpose of carrying the present invention into practice although variations and modifications may be utilized as one skilledintheartreadily understands and such variations and-modifications are within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Thus, for instance, as a lubricating base a mineral oil or its equivalent may be used.

What I claim as new is 1. The method of forming grease which consists in mixing and heating mineral oil of a viscosity of not less than ninety seconds Saybolt at 212 F. and an aluminum salt of fatty acid of general formula C H O when n is not less than fifteen, such fatty acid salt being from 15% total mass to a temperature from 160 to to 45% by weight of the 260 F and chilling the mass rapidly enough total mass to a temperature from about 160 F. to about 260 F., and quickly chilling the mass by exposing to air in a th n layer.

3. The method of fdrming grease which consists in mixing and heating 'mineral oil of a viscosity of notless than ninety seconds Saybolt at 212 F. and an aluminum salt of fatty acid of general formula C H O- when n is not less than fifteen, such fatty acid salt being from 15% to 45% by weight of the total mass to a temperature'from about 160 F. to about 260 F., and quickly chilling in a thin layer not to exceed two inches in depth at summer temperature. I

4. The method of producing a solid lubricating grease which comprises mixing and heating mineral oil having a viscosity of not less than 90 seconds Saybolt at 212 F., and aluminum salt of a fatty acid of general formula C I-I 2 in which 'n is not less than 15 to a temperature above about 160 F. to form a mixture of grease and cooling said mixture of grease rapidly enough to prevent reversion thereof.

5. The method of producing a solid lubricating grease which comprises mixing and heating mineral oil having a viscosity of not less than 90 seconds Saybolt at 212 F. and aluminum salt of a fatty acid of general for mula C H O in which n is not less than 15 to a temperature above about 160 F. and sufficiently high to change the oil-aluminum salt mixture from an oil consistency, to a rubbery mixture of grease and cooling said mixture of grease rapidly enough to prevent reversion thereof to an oil consistency.

6. A solid lubricating grease composed of a mineral oil having a viscosity within a range of about 90" to about 300" Saybolt at 212 F. in admixture with an aluminum salt of a fatty acid of general formula C H O in which n is not less than fifteen.

7. A solid lubricating grease as set forth in claim 6 in which aluminum salt is present to extent of about 15% to about 45% by weight.

8. A solid lubricating grease compounded by heating a mass of mineral oil and an aluminum salt of a fatty acid of general formula (J l-I ,1 2 in which 'n is not less than fifteen and then cooling said heated mass rapidly enough to prevent reversion.

9. A solid lubricating grease compounded by heating a mass of mineral oil having a viscosity within a range of about 90" to about 300" Saybolt at 212 of a fatty acid of general formula 0,, 2n 3 in which n is not less than fifteen to a temwithin a range of perature higher than about 160 F. and then cooling said mass rapidly enough to prevent reversion.

10. A solid lubricating grease compounded by heating a mass of about 85 parts to about 55 parts of mineral oil having a viscosity about 90 to about 300 Saybolt at 212 F. and about 15 parts to about 45 parts of an aluminum salt of a fatty acid of general formula C,,H 2 in which n is not less than fifteen to a temperature higher than about 160 F. and then cooling said heated mass while in a static condition m a relatively thin layer and rapid]* enough to prevent reversion. v

11. A greasecomposed of a mineral oil of a viscosity of not less than ninety seconds Saybolt at 212 F. and an aluminum salt of fatty acid of formula C ll- 0 when n is not less than fifteen, said aluminum salt being from 15% to 45% by weight of the total mass.

12. The method of forming grease which comprises heating a mineral oil and an aluminum salt of a fatty acid of the general formula C H O when n is not less than fifteen to a temperature of about 160 F. to about 260 F. to form a mass of grease, and cooling the heated mass of grease rapidly enough to prevent reversion thereof.

13. A lubricating grease compounded by heating a mixture of mineral oil and an aluminum salt of a fatty acid of the general formula C H 2 in which n is not less than fifteen to a temperature of about 160 F. to about 260 F. to form a mass of grease and cooling the heated mass of grease rapidly enough "to prevent reversion thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set m hand.

y FRANK O. GEBHARDT.

F. and an aluminum salt 

